A biased look at psychology in the world

December 23, 2008

Spiritual Leader Kills Boy For Being a Witch

Police in Ghana have arrested 52-year old Yaw Payni for his role in the death of a seven-year old boy for witchcraft. Johnny Kweifio was one of four children who had been brought to the self-proclaimed prophet of the Twelve Apostles Church at New Botianor near Accra for spiritual cleansing. Since the children had suffered from frequent ailments, the parents of the children had believed that evil magic was responsible. Payni accused the children of witchcraft and subjected them to weeks of forced starvation and whippings while tied to pawpaw trees. While the other three eventually confessed, Johnny Kweifio refused and eventually died.

Following Johnny's death, Payni told the boy's father that he had been killed by an "angel of the Lord" for refusing to confess. The other children were freed by police
who responded to a report by a passerby on December 1. After arresting Payni, they found Johnny's corpse where it had been thrown behind a wall. The parents have also been charged but were later granted bail. The corpse is awaiting an autopsy.

Persecutions of accused witches (particularly children) remain common in many Central and West African countries. Exorcisms to "drive out" evil spirits have led to the deaths of countless children with others being forced from their homes to fend for themselves. Cases have also been reported of children living in Western countries who were brought to Africa by their parents to be "cleansed". Given the popularity of the exorcism churches, government agencies seem powerless to intervene. Despite increasing attention in the media, these deaths are likely to continue.